Houston Dog Photographer

woman and English Bulldog in back of vintage chevy truck Houston Texas
family portrait in Houston with dog
jack russell dog looking up at camera

“Kelly is a wonderful photographer to work with! From our very first phone call, all the way through, her communication with me was 100% thorough.”

How It Works

Kelly J. Russo pet photographer in Houston

Step 1: Schedule a Call


A 20-minute phone call is the fastest, easiest way to go over all the details and answer any questions you have about working with me. If it sounds like we’re a good fit, we can get your session on the books and start getting ready for some fun! A session fee of $250 and a little paperwork is all that’s required to reserve your spot.

pet photographer Kelly J. Russo photographing a dog in Houston

Step 2: The Session


Once we’re booked, I’ll send you my detailed guide that will walk you through everything from choosing outfits and suggestions for getting your dog ready. Sessions usually take place in and around the Greater Houston area and last around 60-90 minutes.

Step 3: The Fun Part


Your photo reveal! About two weeks after our session, you’ll receive 25-35-ish fully edited proofs to swoon over and choose among. Collection prices start at $750 and are custom-built for you including both digital files and print credit which can be used towards gorgeous artwork for your home.


How Much?

A FEE OF $250 AND A LITTLE PAPERWORK IS ALL THAT’S REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT


If you have ever shopped for art of any kind before, you know prices are all over the map and that is certainly true with photography as well. And like with other art, those prices aren’t easily compared - it’s not apples to apples.


With a session fee of $250 and collections starting at $750, you’ll find that my work is neither the cheapest nor the most expensive in the area, but it does represent one of the best values. My average client spends about $1500 on their session. 


 With a perfect review record on Google and a satisfaction guarantee that I take very seriously, you can invest confidently knowing your money will be well spent.


Digital images, prints, and other products are priced separately.

corgi smiling in field of bluebonnets in Sugar Land Texas
gray and white pitbull puppy in Texas bluebonnes

The Artwork

What you're going to do with your images is perhaps the most important aspect to consider when you're planning for a photo session, but it's all too often the aspect that's overlooked... all that time and money invested deserve a better return than photos gathering dust on a hard drive somewhere. You'll never get the same feeling looking at your photos on a screen as you will seeing them on your wall or flipping through the pages of an album, so I include a substantial print credit with every collection.

Wall art options range from 8x10 up to 16x24, albums sizes start at 8x8 and go up to 11x14.


Are you looking for Legacy Images

of an aging or ailing pet? 


Legacy photography is for dogs preparing to cross the Rainbow Bridge. Sometimes called an end-of-life session, I will capture some tender moments with your best friend in a relaxed and quiet location. As difficult as this time may be, having lasting images of your best friend can help your grieving process in many ways.


Please don't wait to let me know if you are in an urgent situation, every effort will be made to accommodate your preferred booking date.


woman holding senior dog's paw

Frequently Asked Questions

Safety

You assume all responsibility for your pets and any other subjects during the session, including any and all destruction to personal, business or public property, personal injury or illegalities.

Be respectful of your pet/s and their behavior and limitations before bringing them to any public area. Please disclose any behavioral issues before the session.

I reserve the right to terminate the session and leave the location of the shoot if I experience inappropriate, threatening, hostile or offensive behavior from person/s or pet/s, or in the event that my safety is in question.

Leashes & Collars

Please have your dog leashed and collared for our session. Leashes not only keep your best pal safe, but they’re also important for following local laws when photographing in public areas.

Please no flexi/retractible leashes. No electric collars. No prong collars. No head leaders. Children will not be allowed to walk dogs/hold leash during the session.

Children will not be allowed to walk dogs/hold leash during the session.

More about those leashes

Believe it or not, 95% of the dogs that I photograph are on leash and thanks to the wizardry of Photoshop, leashes can be removed from most photos where it makes sense to do so.

What if my dog is not trained to sit?

Don't worry! Some of my favorite portraits are of dogs standing up. I will not be forcing your dog to do anything they don't want to do which encourages them to be themselves! And rest assured, I have a DEEP well of techniques to get your dog's attention—even if it’s just for that split second.

What should I expect from a typical photo session with you?

We'll meet right before Golden Hour. This is when the most magical light for photography happens - during the last two hours of daylight.

When we meet I'll take a few minutes to interact with your dog and let them smell me and my gear. I'll also spend a few minutes getting them used to my camera with some positive reinforcement training.

Once we start I will guide you along the entire session and give you prompts to encourage natural interactions and behaviors from your dog. I might make weird noises from time to time to get their attention and we'll use treats for certain poses.

Do you photograph more than 2 dogs in a session?

Yes I can. If there is more than 1 dog, I will bring an assistant to help dog sit while while we photograph 1:1 photos. If you’re pup isn’t a fan of new people (I get it!), I recommend bringing a friend along to help.

Can anyone else join in?

Everyone who lives in your household (furry or not) is welcome to participate in our session. In the interest of minimizing distractions, however, I do ask that only those who will be in the photos come along.

What about harnesses or gentle leaders?

I can't guarantee that I'll be able to remove a harness or gentle leader from your final images. If your dog usually walks around with either of these, then I recommend using it to walk to the session and between locations, but swapping it for a regular flat collar while I photograph.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes, I can work with you and spread out payments weekly or monthly. Payment plans will be agreed upon during ordering session. A minimum deposit is required and maximum payment plans duration is six months. Orders are fulfilled once final payment has been received. If you decide to discontinue your payment plan, funds are non-refundable.

How far do you travel?

I am based in Fort Bend County and will travel throughout the greater Houston area. Travel fees may apply for distances over 25 miles.

Do you offer in-home or backyard sessions?

Fore all regular sessions, no. I am unable to achieve my vision for your photos in small areas like backyards. However, if you are looking to have a Legacy Session for an aging or ailing pet, we can discuss location options such as your home or backyard.

What happens after the session?

Photos will be delivered 2 to 3 weeks after our session. After our session you will receive a link to a beautiful online slideshow where you will be able to sit back and view the slideshow in the comfort of your home. Photos can be purchased via collections, prints, albums and wall art are available for purchase in your online gallery store!

Have a question? Click on the link below to reach out. 

FREE GUIDE


The Best Locations for Pet Photography in Houston


Prepare to be whisked away into a wonderland of paws-ibilities! This free guide will unleash a list of gorgeous, pet-friendly Houston locations for capturing picture-perfect portraits of your dog.